Bottlenosed Dolphins
Losinj dolphin colony
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is very intelligent and social animal and the largest marine mammal in the Adriatic Sea. Losinj archipelago is a habitat of playful colony with more than 150 dolphins.
They have a hydrodynamic body shape and their color varies from dark blue to brownish-gray on their backs, and from light gray to white on their belly. They can reach approximately 3.5 m lenght, and they weight from 150 - 450 kg.
Unlike fishes, dolphins are breathing air and every few minutes they have to appear on the surface to breathe in. The nasal aperture is located on the upper side of the head and is covered with muscles, which allows them to completely close the nostrils during dive.
Their life span is around 50 years, they reach maturity with ten ears, after which the females can have young every 4 to 6 years. Female, after twelve months of pregnancy, gives birth to one cub that remains with his mother for several years.
It is interesting to note that two or more dolphins, during the birth, take the role of "midwife" and help future mother protecting it from sharks attracted by blood. After birth, this whole group pushes calf on the sea surface to breathe the air for the first time.
According to the Regulation on the protection of certain species of mammals (Mammalia) (Official Gazette no. 31 of 9 May 1995. ) dolphins in Croatia are declared as protected wildlife specie.
Adopt a dolphin!
Take part in the Blue World's action ''Adopt a dolphin'' and support Adriatic Dolphin Project and the activities of research and protection of dolphins in Losinj.
